Attorney General George Jepsen issued the following statement regarding the ongoing labor dispute at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital:

“As we approach the third full day of the worker lockout, I call upon L + M management and AFT to commit themselves to achieving a negotiated resolution. I welcome reports that talks with the federal mediator will reconvene tomorrow. I caution against any actions that may heighten tensions, impede productive discussions or threaten interference in the delivery of quality healthcare to the communities that rely on L + M.

“With those concerns in mind, I encourage L + M to reconsider its decision to lock out workers, who have called off their strike and expressed a willingness to return to their important work caring for L + M’s patients. L + M need not wait for negotiations to start, or to bear fruit, before permitting workers to return to their jobs. My hope is that, through discussions, an amicable resolution can be achieved that both preserves good middle class jobs and guarantees the sustainable delivery of quality healthcare by L + M into the future.

“Because the Attorney General has a responsibility to represent the broader public interest, including by drawing attention to the important issues implicated by this dispute, I believe it is appropriate for me to express these views. However, in order that I can express myself further as appropriate, and so as to avoid any confusion or appearance of conflict, I am recusing myself from any legal or regulatory action that may arise from or relate to the dispute between L + M and its workers. The Office of the Attorney General, however, continues to serve as counsel to the Department of Public Health and remains available to provide it with any legal assistance it may require.”